IGTC: Aston Martin Announces 2020 Manufacturer Entry

Gaydon-based Aston Martin has announced that it will contest the 2020 Intercontinental GT Challenge as a manufacturer with a four-car entry for the opening round at Bathurst.

R-Motorsport had previously declared a two-car Pro entry for Mount Panorama with its #62 Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 to be driven by Rick Kelly, Jake Dennis and Scott Dixon while the sister #76 entry will be piloted by Olli Caldwell, Luca Ghiotto and Marvin Kirchhöfer.

The Aston Martin entries have now been joined by a pair of Vantage AMR GT3 from Garage 59. Andrew Watson, Oliver Hart and Roman De Angelis will crew the #159 Silver Cup car while the #188 Pro-Am Cup entry will see Alexander West, Chris Goodwin, Côme Ledogar and factory driver Maxime Martin share the driving duties. Martin was a late call-up to join the Garage 59 Pro-Am line-up.

President of Aston Martin Racing David King is looking forward to seeing the historic British marque, first established in 1913, competing for manufacturer honours in the world’s only global GT3 championship.

“This is Aston Martin’s boldest attack on the Bathurst 12 Hour, a race that showcases the very best of what international GT3 racing has to offer. We have full-confidence that the combination of our two partner teams R-Motorsport and Garage 59, and the growing competitiveness of the Aston Martin GT3, will provide a fierce challenge for honours in Australia.”

“This line-up, and the quality of our partners, represents the perfect time to commit to the overall Manufacturers Championship for the first time.”

David King

33-year-old Belgian pilot Maxime Martin is also excited to be competing in one of the world’s toughest GT3 races.

“It’s really good news. It’s a really late, late call but I’m super-excited to be going. I know it’s an amazing event. I’ve never been to Australia, let alone Bathurst, so there is much to learn. We are fighting for the Pro/Am class victory and looking at who I am racing alongside I think we have a great chance.”

Maxime Martin

The 2020 Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour gets underway with the first practice session at 08:40 local time on Friday January 31 with the lights going out for the race at 05:45 on Sunday February 2.